Italy has no shortage of breathtaking destinations, but the Amalfi Coast is without a doubt one of the most magical places in the country. John Steinbeck wrote that “Positano bites deep; it is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you’ve gone”.

To experience the dreamlike atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast, we visiting the following places. If you base yourself in one of these towns, the others can be visited as day trips. Public transport can be unreliable, so you might want to consider renting a car, or booking a private tour of the Amalfi Coast with a personal driver for a more luxurious experience, blogs Rosario Gorgone.

Sorrento

Perhaps the most famous destination on the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento has long been popular with tourists. It’s well-connected and makes a good base for exploring the rest of the Amalfi Coast, or taking the train to Pompeii, Herculaneum or Naples. You might expect it to have been spoiled by its perennial popularity, but Sorrento still retains plenty of sunny charm. Book a room in the quirky boutique hotel La Minervetta and spend your evenings eating delicious seafood, drinking limoncello, and strolling along the terrace of the Villa Comunale.

Amalfi

Amalfi is also a good place to base yourself, with glamorous hotels such as Monastero Santa Rosa or Hotel Santa Caterina. During Byzantine times Amalfi was an independent republic with a population of 70,000, and you can still find traces of its former glory. Although it can get quite busy, particularly during the summer, it’s easy enough to escape the crowds – dive into the backstreets and you could almost believe you’re in the Middle Ages. There are also some pleasant sandy beaches nearby.

Atrani

To experience a less touristy side of the Amalfi Coast, take a trip to the tiny village of Atrani, next-door to Amalfi – a dense tangle of winding streets, gardens and steep flights of steps. It seems as though it’s about to topple into the sea, and was an inspiration for the artist M. C. Escher.

Positano

For maximum impact, approach Positano from the sea. All it takes is once glance at this enchanting town – a jumbled assortment of colourful houses clinging to the cliff – to understand why so many visitors have fallen in love. It’s the perfect place to spend a few days, just pottering around the town, lounging on the beach and shopping for handmade sandals and ceramics. The luxurious Palazzo Murat may be the most romantic place to stay, located in a botanical garden and offering beautiful views across the rooftops of Positano.

Ravello

If you’re looking for the best view of the Amalfi Coast, pay a visit to Ravello, a town “closer to the sky than the seashore”, in the words of Andre Gide. 350 metres above sea level, Ravello feels far removed from the rest of the coast. Walking through the town, you’ll find beautiful churches and grand palazzi – evocative remnants of Ravello’s aristocratic past – as well as the romantic gardens of the Villa Cimbrone, which offers unparalleled views of the sea. Although Ravello can be done as a day trip, it’s worth staying a night if you can, as it’s even more magical after dark. A highlight of the summer months is the Ravello Festival, an arts festival with an impressive international line-up.

Minori

It may be less famous and less fashionable than some of the neighbouring towns, but Minori has plenty of charm and a more laid-back atmosphere. There’s a sandy beach, some underground Roman ruins, and a very good pasticceria – sample creamy gelato, granita, and traditional pastries such as sfogliatelle and babàat Pasticceria de Riso.

By Rosario Gorgone, Co-Founder of Through Eternity Tours.